As one of the six epicenters of Southern hip hop, Memphis has always had a thriving underground capable of producing major platinum superstars such as Eightball & MJG, 3-6 Mafia and Project Pat,Skip a.k.a Gianni Booker. All of the above-mentioned artists at one point in time literally dominated the city’s underground rap scene before going on to become national superstars. Next up to bat is Yo Gotti, M-Town’s current underground rap kingpin. Like his namesake John Gotti, the Memphis based rapper has been running the Southern underground scene with an iron fist for the past. Known and respected throughout the South for his skill and finesse on the microphone, Yo Gotti is one the South’s most respected young rappers.
Born Mario Mims, Yo Gotti grew up in the infamous Ridge Crest Apartments in a North Memphis neighborhood called Frazier. His childhood was typical for a poor ghetto youth in the Deep South. Raised in a family of hustlers and exposed to hard times 24 hours a day the Tennessee rap titan soon turned to the only thing that he knew could get him paid, hustling. “Being from the hood things like hustling will come your way,” says Yo Gotti. “Everybody in my family hustled in some kinda way.” Ironically, hustling is what ultimately led Yo Gotti to rapping.
Taking his cue from Memphis rap legends such as Eightball & MJG, Al Kapone, Gangsta Black, Triple 6 Mafia and Kingpin Skinny Pimp, all of whom he lists as influences, Yo Gotti released his own underground tape entitled, Youngster on the Come Up and placed it on consignment at local mom & pop record stores as well as hustling it out the trunk. The tape sold like hotcakes on the street and made Yo Gotti the hottest rapper on the streets of Memphis. From the Dope Game to the Rap Game, Yo Gotti’s sophomore effort sold so well that Select-O-Hits, a local based independent distributor offered him a small deal and the Memphis rapper more than doubled his fan base with absolutely no marketing or promotions. Soon he found himself ranked among the city’s top rappers. In addition to being featured on the cover of Murderdog Magazine along side his idols Kingpin Skinny Pimp and Al Kapone his record From the Dope Game to the Rap Game made the list for the magazine’s top independent record for the year 2000.
Two years later he inked a distribution deal with TVT Records and released the critically acclaimed album Life, which did respectable numbers for an independent label. “It sold about 40 or 50,000, with no promotions or video,” says Yo Gotti. “That record did what it did on its own.” But as the old saying goes when one door is closed another opened. Gotti’s reputation as the king of Memphis continued to spread and that eventually led him to a production deal with Cash Money/Universal records for his group the Block Burnaz. With his TVT sophomore album entitled Back 2 Da Basics, Yo Gotti returns with the same hardcore street flavor that his die-hard fans have come to know and love, only this time around the true king of Memphis has elevated his game a bit. Given the fact that his last record didn’t do the type of big number he’d hope for you’d think that Yo Gotti would switch up his style to reach a larger audience. Right? Wrong! According to Gotti his street credibility with his underground fans means more to him than gold or platinum status.
“The one thing that you have to understand is that when you create a fan base off of street product the last thing you wanna do is disrespect them by changing because of the record companies and stuff like that. When you do that you change what created you. To me it is very important that I keep in tune with the people that helped to sell 40,000 records independently. That’s why I call my record Back 2 Da Basics.”
Produced by DJ Thoomp, Mannie Fresh, Carlos Brody and newcomers Street Tunes, Back 2 Da Basics offers fans a gritty, insider’s view into the real streets of Memphis as seen through the eyes of Yo Gotti. Nowhere is this viewpoint more intense than on “Full Time,” the amped up lead single –and featured in the MTV Films’ Hustle & Flow movie - with a thunderous bass and intoxicating beat that espouses Gotti’s formula to success –hustle full time.
“A lotta cats wanna be a rapper or a street hustler but they don’t wanna put in the time that it takes,” says Yo Gotti. “They want the money and the cars and the girls, but they don’t wanna work hard for it. But to be successful at anything you gotta grind for it.” On the song “Mama We Gone Be Alright,” he waxes introspective by reflecting on all of the hard times that he and his family have suffered through the years and offers her hope-filled words encouragement. “Mama We Gone Be Alright” along with the gripping tune “My Story” emerges as two of the most interesting songs on Back 2 Da Basics. These three titles along with club banging songs like “Shorty” featuring Baby make Back 2 Da Basics one of the best albums of the year.
Black Bill Gates
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk up in the club like a KKK parade.
DJ scream my name, bitches turn they head.
Light sign on my section, i holla can i get some head.
I dont need no jewelry, and i dont need no goons
Wherever i might stand, im the realist nigga in the room
Never cop a plea , and dont throw in the towel
Gangsta, and you know it, fuck it take them hoes to trial
(Nigga we dont cop no pleas pussy, nigga our money right, lawyers paid. p12 nigga, CM5 bitch)
I got money on my mind, bitches in my bed
Problems in my household, niggas in the feds
Yeah them my dogs, so i collect they calls
Record label bullshittin, put my shit on pause
Cause i wont make no single commercial shit i rap for yall
So fuck the industry, and my enemies kill them all
Bullet in the chamber, bitch yo life in danger
Mama never told you dont be conversating with strangers
I owe God a favor, He send me a angel
Niggas tried to kill me, He made sure i had a banger
Now i got to thank ya, proud to be a gangsta
Past the Beale Street, nigga fuck being famous
*Laugh*
Nigga i want the muthafucking money nigga
No attention pussy, gangsta shit nigga, CM5
It goes light, camera, action, Franklins, Grants, Jacksons
Money in my mattress, im tryna fuck a actress
My life like a movie, but i dont do no acting
I just keep it gangsta with my North Memphis accent
What it do pimp, whats up man, whats happenin bruh, nothin mane
How ya people be, gud mane, you knw errthng errthng
I just bought a white meat, it look like a polar bear
Baby mama touch ha toes, smack ha a$$, pull ha hair
4g out on wheels, i just call ha stop and stare
Daddies on da benz, and it remind me of a rocking chair
I got bitches errwhere, california, delaware
Haters in my peripheral and i can smell it in da air
Cool but aint no cylinder, truth but yea im feelin her
99 point 9 percent, she fuckin dem, she get in der
The lyrics to Yo Gotti's song Black Bill Gates are filled with boasts and a sense of being on top. The first few lines suggest that Yo Gotti is wearing expensive sunglasses with a pair of $40 jeans, as he walks into a club with the confidence of a KKK parade. Yo Gotti goes on to describe his power dynamic, explaining that DJ calls out his name and women turn to look, perhaps suggesting his celebrity. He goes on to state that he is the realist person in the room and does not require jewelry or enforcers. Yo Gotti is confident enough to not cop a plea or throw in the towel, being open about his gangster ways and willing to take his enemies to trial.
The second verse goes deeper into Yo Gotti's mindset, explaining that he has problems but also people who he cares about in jail who call him. He has issues with his label but refuses to compromise his artistic vision for commercial success. Yo Gotti never wants to pretend to be anyone other than himself, with his North Memphis accent and gangster ways. He is proud to be a gangster and does not care about publicity as he drives around in his luxurious cars - all while acknowledging the jealousy and hatred lurking in the air.
Overall, the lyrics to Black Bill Gates convey confidence, power, and a sense of being on top despite some setbacks.
Line by Line Meaning
40 dollar jeans, thousand dollar shades
I may dress modestly but my sunglasses cost more than most people's clothing.
Walk up in the club like a KKK parade.
I enter the club with confidence, fearless and commanding attention.
DJ scream my name, bitches turn they head.
The DJ acknowledges me, and women are drawn to me.
Light sign on my section, i holla can i get some head.
When my name is lit up, I ask for sexual favors.
I dont need no jewelry, and i dont need no goons
I don't require material possessions or an entourage to be respected.
Wherever i might stand, im the realist nigga in the room
I'm always genuine and authentic, never compromising who I am.
Never cop a plea , and dont throw in the towel
I always fight for what I believe in, never giving up or compromising.
Gangsta, and you know it, fuck it take them hoes to trial
I'm a true gangster, and I won't hesitate to take legal action to defend myself.
I got money on my mind, bitches in my bed
I'm focused on my wealth and sexual conquests.
Problems in my household, niggas in the feds
I have personal issues and friends in prison.
Yeah them my dogs, so i collect they calls
I remain loyal to my friends in prison and take their phone calls.
Record label bullshittin, put my shit on pause
My music career is on hold due to issues with my record label.
Cause i wont make no single commercial shit i rap for yall
I refuse to create music simply for commercial success, and instead rap for my true fans.
So fuck the industry, and my enemies kill them all
I don't care for the music industry and have no love for my enemies.
Bullet in the chamber, bitch yo life in danger
I'm heavily armed and willing to use deadly force if someone threatens me.
Mama never told you dont be conversating with strangers
My mother never warned me about the dangers of talking to strangers.
I owe God a favor, He send me a angel
I believe in God and feel that He has protected me from harm.
Niggas tried to kill me, He made sure i had a banger
Despite being attacked, God allowed me to be armed and able to defend myself.
Now i got to thank ya, proud to be a gangsta
I'm grateful for God's protection, and I take pride in my gangster status.
Past the Beale Street, nigga fuck being famous
I'm not interested in fame, and prioritize my street credibility.
Money in my mattress, im tryna fuck a actress
I keep cash hidden away and am pursuing a sexual relationship with a celebrity.
My life like a movie, but i dont do no acting
My life is filled with drama, but I'm always authentic and genuine.
I just keep it gangsta with my North Memphis accent
I never lose touch with my roots and embrace my Memphis identity.
I got bitches errwhere, california, delaware
I have a wide network of women across the country, in California and Delaware.
Haters in my peripheral and i can smell it in da air
I can sense the presence of my enemies, even when they're not visible.
Cool but aint no cylinder, truth but yea im feelin her
I'm calm and collected, but also honest and attracted to her.
99 point 9 percent, she fuckin dem, she get in der
She's almost always willing to have sex, and easily gets aroused.
Contributed by Caroline E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Walt’Nitra
Gotti killed dis shit. 🔥🔥🔥🥵
👽__Satïva_Dïva__👽
The way he kept the same energy from Wayne's version 🔥 Og Gotti was a force by himself 💪🏾
C-town's Own
2020 still bumpin
ISMET PLEH
Gotti murdered this beat like O.J. did......
Tyler Jackson
sumbody told me cm5 was lame..... cm5 is a straight banger
Levante Adams
I like old Gotti music mane
Zach Eddins
the old gotti is the best m-town stand up!!
Joy P
Dis shit RAW!
uno foxworth
dat shyt hard as hell bruh bruh..!!
Kayla Moore
Dis song go hard